Pressure washer systems analyzer

• US 4,697,464 A
• Filed: 10/20/1986
• Issued: 10/06/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin, Thomas E.
• Original Assignee: Martin, Thomas E.
• Inventors: Martin, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stewart J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raevis, Robert R.
• Application Number:
  US06/921,693
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 73/112, 73/115, 73/168, 73/866.3, 73/714, 239/124, 239/125, 239/126, 239/127, 239/128, 239/135, 239/129, 239/71, 374/142
• US Class Current: 73/866.3
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0205 Bypass pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0282 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2230/01 Cleaning with steam
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor

Abstract

Apparatus is described which is adapted to analyze various operating conditions and characteristics of steam cleaners and pressure washer (e.g., of the type which heats water and forces it out of a nozzle under pressure). The test apparatus includes means for testing and analyzing operating characteristics and parameters such as inlet and outlet water temperature, water pump head pressure, coil outlet pressure, fuel pressure, water flow rate, voltage and electrical current draw, stack temperature, and hydrocarbon emissions. The test apparatus is useful in servicing pressure washers and in comparing the operation of one pressure washer to another pressure washer. The test apparatus is also very useful in detecting possible safety hazards existing in steam cleaners and pressure washer.

Claims

1. A self-contained, portable test panel which is adapted to be operably connected to a conventional pressure washer of the type including an electrical system including an electric motor, an exit nozzle for heated water, a water pump which is powered by said electric motor, and heater means for heating water;

wherein said test panel comprises a housing which includes;

(a) voltage monitor means adapted to measure electrical line voltage in the electrical system of said pressure washer;

(b) electrical current measurement means adapted to measure current draw by said electric system;

(c) temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water exiting said nozzle;

(d) pressure sensing means adapted to monitor the pressure of water exiting said nozzle;

(e) flow meter means adapted to measure the flow rate of water through said pressure washer; and

(f) short circuit test means adapted to detect the presence of electrical short circuits in said pressure washer;

wherein said portable test panel is adapted to simultaneously measure the operating parameters of said pressure washer which are measured or monitored by all of the foregoing means.

2. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said heater means comprises a combustion heater adapted to burn fossil fuel, and wherein said test panel further includes hydrocarbon test means adapted to measure the air-to-fuel ratio, and the amount of carbon monoxide emitted by said heater means.

3. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 2, further including flow pressure sensing means adapted to measure the pressure of said fuel being fed to said heater.

4. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 2, further including pressure sensing means adapted to measure the pressure of water exiting said water pump.

5. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 2, further including flow meter means adapted to measure the flow rate of chemicals being added to said water flowing through said pressure washer.

6. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 2, further including inlet temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water entering said water pump;

further including ohm-volt meter means adapted to test said pressure washer for electrical continuity and voltage.

7. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 2, further including stack temperature sensing means adapted to measure the temperature of combustion gases exiting said combustion heater.

8. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 1, further including display means adapted to display said line voltage, current draw, temperature and pressure of water exiting said nozzle, flow rate of water through said pressure washer, and presence of electrical short circuits in said pressure washer.

9. A self-contained, portable test panel which is adapted to be operably connected to a conventional pressure washer of the type including a combustion heater means for water, an exit nozzle for heated water, and a water pump which is powered by an electric motor;

wherein said test panel comprises;

(a) voltage monitor means adapted to measure electrical line voltage in the electrical system of said pressure washer;

(b) electrical current measurement means adapted to measure current drawn by said electrical system;

(c) first temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water entering said water pump;

(d) second temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water exiting said nozzle;

(e) first water pressure sensing means adapted to monitor the pressure of water at said water pump;

(f) second water pressure sensing means adapted to monitor the pressure of water exiting said nozzle;

(g) hydrocarbon test means adapted to measure the air-to-fuel ratio and the amount of carbon monoxide emitted by said heater means;

(h) flow meter means adapted to measure the flow rate of water exiting said nozzle; and

(i) fuel pressure sensing means adapted to measure the pressure of fuel being fed to said heater;

(j) flow meter means adapted to measure the flow rate of chemicals being added to said water in said pressure washer;

(k) stack temperature sensing means adapted to measure the temperature of combustion gases exiting said heater; and

(l) short circuit test means adapted to detect the presence of electrical short circuits in said pressure washer;

wherein said test panel is contained in an enclosure.

10. A self-contained test panel in accordance with claim 9, further including display means adapted to display said line voltage, current drawn by said electrical system, temperature and pressure of water exiting said nozzle, air-to-fuel ratio, amount of carbon monoxide emitted by said heater means, flow rate of water exiting said nozzle, pressure of fuel being fed to said heater, temperature of combustion gases exiting said heater, and presence of electrical short circuits in said pressure washer.

11. An analyzer system adapted to be operably connected to a conventional pressure washer of the type including an exit nozzle for heated water, a water pump which is powered by an electric motor, and heater means for heating water;

wherein said analyzer system comprises test components contained in a housing, said components including;

(a) voltage monitor means adapted to measure electrical line voltage in the electrical system of said pressure washer;

(b) electrical current measurement means adapted to measure current draw by said electrical system;

(c) first temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water entering said water pump;

(d) second temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water exiting said nozzle;

(e) water pressure sensing means adapted to monitor the pressure of water exiting said nozzle;

(f) hydrocarbon test means adapted to measure hydrocarbons emitted by said heater means;

(g) flow meter means adapted to measure the flow rate of water exiting said nozzle; and

(h) short circuit test means adapted to detect the presence of electrical short circuits in said pressure washer.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said housing comprises a portable test panel.

13. A self-contained, portable test panel which is adapted to be operably connected to a conventional pressure washer of the type including an exit nozzle for pressurized water, and a water pump powered by an electric motor;

wherein said test panel comprises a housing which includes;

(a) temperature sensing means adapted to monitor the temperature of water exiting said nozzle;

(b) pressure sensing means adapted to monitor the pressure of water exiting said nozzle;

(c) pump pressure means adapted to monitor the pressure of water at said pump;

(d) flow meter means adapted to measure the flow rate of water exiting said nozzle;

(e) voltage monitor means adapted to measure electrical line voltage in the electrical system of said pressure washer; and

(f) short circuit test means adapted to detect the presence of electrical short circuits in said pressure washer.